Students to respond

    Q&A: How has the Sept. 11 tragedy affected your holiday plans for spending, celebrating or traveling?

“I’m going to spend more time with my family because I don’t know what tomorrow will be. We don’t know if we will have another tomorrow, so I have to spend it today ... we don’t know our future.”
Tina Yombo, 20, NE medical science

“Since the Sept. 11 tragedy, airplane tickets are cheaper. This Christmas, I can go back home to Malaysia to be with my family.”
Darrell Sandah, 18, SE computer programming

“I’ll cherish life a little bit more, just because we’re here.”
Lee Tucker, 18, NW business

“Actually, it has affected me. It’s made me be more cautious, more aware. It’s made me empathize with the poor people who can’t have a Christmas. I’ve given to charities this year because of it. It’s made me sit back and reflect on my life, on what I can do in the future. Life is short, you can’t take it for granted.”
Jamie Shoemaker, 20, NE biomedicine

“My husband and son are in Arizona and will be flying back. I worry about them. I usually travel a lot, but I haven’t been since Sept. 11.”
Uma Newton, 21, South biomedical engineering

“My traveling plans did not change. However, in preparation for the holidays, we raised money for the victims as well as for local families, so nothing has changed in spending this year. My husband’s extended family was able to join us for Thanksgiving dinner from Scotland since the airfare was so affordable as a result of the Sept.11 tragedy.”
Tricia Bowes, 23, SE music

“I’m probably going to spend more time with the people I love, because you never know what could happen … Think positively things are going to get better. DFW is supposed to have a better economy. Lockheed just got that big contract, so things are going to get better.”
Chuck Allen, 18, NW undecided

“I might buy things whose proceeds go to charities. I think it’ll make people more appreciative of family. People will look more at the family aspect of the holiday.”
Francis Lunsford, 24, NW English

“My family and I have also spent more this holiday because we’re thinking about others and their financial state, so I’m helping with charities ... This made everyone real close to their family, and it also made people pray more and attend church more. Sept. 11 affected me the same way because it makes me want to thank God for my blessings now.”
Candle Blaylock, 20, NE dental hygiene

“My husband and I are going on vacation, but I don’t really want to go. I don’t want to leave the country or spend money on plane tickets. My sister and her husband are coming down from Minnesota for the holidays because they got good rates on fares.”
Penny, 41, South education